Living in the Tampa Fl Area-Cities

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Area Cities

Tampa Fl

Tampa Bay, on Florida’s central west coast on the Gulf of Mexico,
is a vibrant, thriving metropolitan area of nearly 4 million people.
It includes the major cities of Tampa, St Petersburg, and Clearwater.
It also includes several smaller towns plus the urban unincorporated
areas of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

Tampa Bay is proof that Florida is not all about retirees: the median
age is only about 40 for the region as a whole, and area residents
offer employees a highly diverse and well educated labor force Tampa
Bay is a services- and tech-driven engine of economic growth, not
only for Central and South Florida, but indeed the entire State.
Over 50% of Florida’s high tech industries and over 113 foreign-owned
international companies call the Bay area home.

Tampa is often referred to as Wall street South and is a regional
home to major banking firms like JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Depository
Trust and Clearing Corp., Raymond James, MetLife, State Farm, and
Progressive Insurance to name but a few. http://www.tampabay.org/subpage.asp?navid=1&id=9

Education is big here, too. Home to the University of South Florida,
the University of Tampa, and some 20 other colleges, universities,
and higher education learning facilities, and to several very respected
K-12 school systems, the Bay area is competitive with most metropolitan
areas across the United States.

Living in Tampa Bay offers an enormous range of recreational choices,
too: for example, water-related outdoor activities like beaching,
birding, fishing, hiking, boating, kayaking; significant arts and
cultural activities and institutions; world class restaurants and
night life; and a full slate of minor and major league NFL and NHL
professional sports teams. Tampa offers all this in a relatively
compact metropolitan area that in general is more manageable, easier
to get around, and more laid back than metro East Coast Florida.

And if Tampa Bay is still not enough for you – is that even possible?
– then Sarasota-Bradenton are just across the spectacular Sunshine
Skyway south of the Bay, and metropolitan Orlando and Disney are
just an hour and a half up Interstate 4. For a change of pace, more
rural areas offer a very different kind of easy escape from the metropole:
say,north to the quirky village of Tarpon Springs, founded by Greek
sponge divers; to other northern quiet reaches of Pasco and Hernando
counties; east to eastern Hillsborough and Polk counties; and southeast
to Manatee and Hardee Counties. All these latter areas offer a mix
of ponds, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and farmland, and are within
easy access by a good road network.

What if I told you that all this comes with fabulous weather and
an inexpensive price tag? How about an average summer temperature
of 83 and an average winter low of 55 degrees? How about a cost of
living of just 98.08? How about an average Real Estate home cost
under $250,000?

In short, imagine big city life (restaurants-nightlife-sports-Arts
and Culture) mixed in with great weather and recreational opportunities
along with great job opportunities and a relatively low cost of living.
If this sounds good, then you have to look hard at the Tampa area.
(37,000 new jobs created here last year)

http://www.tampabay.org/subpage.asp?navid=1&id=5

General Information.

Located in the central West coast portion of Florida, 249 miles
northwest of Miami, 86 mile southwest of Orlando and 190 miles south
of Jacksonville.
1051 square miles ?
Average summer Temperature 90°F
Average winter temperature is 70
Average yearly temperature 74
Average Annual Precipitation 53 in
Average Rain Days 107
Population projection 2010 -1,228,000-Hillsborough county
Average home cost-June 2005-$240,000
Cost of Living- 98.08
Median age-41
Great weather and lots of sun
Major Employment By Industry

Agriculture
Mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation/Utilities
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Financial/Insurance/Real Estate
Services
Public administration
See the links to the left, for information on other topics.

Clearwater

Clearwater is located at the heart of Florida's Gulf Coast, just
West of Tampa. It is 218 miles northwest of Miami, 91 miles southwest
of Orlando and 174 miles from Jacksonville. From Clearwater it is
less than a day's drive to all the major cities in Florida, including
Key West.
Geographically, the county is small and its population density is
the highest in the state.
Some statistics
(Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area includes the counties
of Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas)

Population: 2.6 million
Clearwater population-110,000
Median age: 41.8
Average annual rainfall is 49 inches.
Average annual temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
In January, the average low is 50.1; in July the average high is
90.4
35 miles of beaches
Employment by industry (Pinellas County)

Economy and employment outlook
Clearwater is home to a wide range of Hi-tech industries including
computer components, surgical instruments and data communication.
Clearwater is also home to more than 7,000 small businesses,
Housing information

The average cost of a typical inland dry house runs about 250K
The average cost of a typical canal house runs about
The average cost of a typical open oceanfront House? 2 million lot
value and up
The average cost of a typical inland 2/1 dry condo 175K
the average cost of a typical canal condo runs 350K and up
The average cost of a typical open oceanfront condo runs 550K and
up
As of Sept 2005, per an MLS search, the least expensive 2/2 was $137,900
(manufactured home)
In Clearwater Beach, the least expensive was $649,000
Transportation
Airports

Tampa International Airport (19 miles to the beach)
St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport
Orlando and Sanford International Airports is 90 minutes away.,
Miami International Airport-4 hrs away.
See Tampa transportation links.
In conclusion, if you like a fast paced lifestyle and lots of options,
this could be just the place.
For more specific information about this area go to the info links
at Tampa

Dunedin

Dunedin, Florida
Pinellas County
Population: 35,988

Right off the coast of Dunedin, Florida, accessible only by ferry
or boat, lies 3 miles of sandy beaches and nature trails. An island
oasis, which has been rated as the #1 beach in the United States,
Caladesi Island State Park is a secluded island in the middle of
paradise. As amazing as it sounds, this little island was formed
in 1921 after a hurricane separated it from Honeymoon Island.

Caladesi Island is but one major attraction Dunedin has to offer!
A community where the waterfront is not obscured by buildings and
homes, you will take in prime views of the Gulf Coast. Dunedin has
repeatedly been rated the best and most beautiful beaches in the
world!

Quality education is standard for the schools within the city. There
are 12 schools and one university for those who choose to finish
their education. 86.6% of students graduated or obtained their diploma.

Dunedin is seeped in a Scottish heritage and has its ancestors to
thank for the traditions carried out in the city. Highlander games
are played once a year and the music of bagpipes can be heard throughout
the town while the games are being played. A Mardi Gras celebration
is another popular festival held in the city, and many visitors make
their way to town and participate in the fun.

Dunedin offers your family traditions, culture, and a unique quality
of life. 15 exceptional neighborhoods are waiting for your choice
of living. Isn’t it time you moved in and made yourself at home?

Lakeland

Lakeland, Florida
Polk County
Population: 93,333

While traveling on Interstate 4 about half way between Tampa and
Orlando Florida, you will come to the city of Lakeland. If you were
planning to move your family residence in the future, you would make
an excellent choice in Lakeland.

The city was named Lakeland for a very good reason. Over 38 lakes
meander through the city limits! These lakes offer fishing, boating,
picnicking, walking paths, boardwalks, and swimming! You will never
run out of water activities! While your outside, there’s more than
water fun to keep you busy. Lakeland boasts over 50 parks and outdoors
recreation areas. There’s so much to do, you’ll never want to leave!

There is a reason Lakeland is known as Tigerland USA. The Detroit
Tigers spring train here! And the Flying Tigers Class A Minor Baseball
Team belongs to Lakeland. You can watch home games for $5.00 and
park for free. Go Tigers!

Do you prefer golf to baseball? You are in for a treat! 14 golf
courses and clubs are accessible in town. You may never want to go
home!

If you enjoy indoor pastimes, you won’t be left out in the cold.
Museums provide an amusing, entertaining, and educated learning experience.
Whether you want a fun-filled adventure, a relaxing atmosphere, or
hands-on learning recreation, Lakeland has a museum for you.

You will never discover the charm and beauty of Lakeland until you
come and see for yourself. Everything you are looking for is here!

St.Pete

ST Pete is located just south of Tampa on Tampa Bay. It is 245 miles
northwest of Miami, 96 miles southwest of Orlando and 250 miles south
of Tallahassee. Like Clearwater, any location in the state is less
than a days drive.

St Pete, is the state's fourth largest city. It’s a fast growing
center of commerce and is aligned with the fast-growing Tampa Bay
metropolitan area, which is currently (2005) the largest market in
the state.
St. Petersburg has changed from being primarily a retirement center
to Hi tech. This change has brought the median age down to 38 and
is reflected in the new revitalized downtown areas both in the architecture
and the restaurants and shopping facilities. It still does retain
historic quality however.
St Pete is still a great to raise a family.
Some stats:

It has 35 miles of pristine beaches (with 360 days of sunshine),
345 miles of coastline,
102 municipal parks,
37 miles of dedicated trails
(Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area includes the counties
of Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas)
Population: 2.6 million
The population is over 250,000
The median age is 38.
The St Pete and Tampa bay area enjoys an average of 361 days of sunshine
a year.
Two of the top ten rated beaches in the nation are located here
Employment by industry (Pinellas County)

Interstate 75 leads from points both north and south in Florida
to the Tampa Bay area. From Orlando, I-4 connects in Tampa with I-275
southbound to St. Petersburg.
Tampa International Airport is only 30 minutes from St. Petersburg
and the beaches. It is served by all major airlines. The St. Petersburg/Clearwater
International Airport provides additional passenger service and Albert
Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg is a base for private
aviation.
Amtrak offers passenger train service into Tampa, with bus connections
to St. Petersburg, and the Greyhound bus system also links us to
many northern cities.
St. Petersburg is also served by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
which provides public transportation throughout the entire county,
including the beaches
The areas health and education resources are also first class. Plus
you also have the facilities in nearby Tampa.

In conclusion, St Pete and Tampa sometimes see themselves as rivals
as St Pete wants to retain its identity. In that it succeeds. There
are quiet neighborhoods and also downtown living. The area enjoys
a good quality of life with lots of recreational opportunities.

IF you like the outdoors but yet still want big city metro opportunities,
this could be the perfect place.

About the areas
The site has the state divided up into 19 major areas and 80 plus sub-areas. We chose
these areas as they are the ones most referred to in guides about Florida and
also because most people are familiar with them as the names evoke something.
Additionally on each area dropdown there is information relevant to florida real
estate and relocating to florida. We have provided lists of Florida Real Estate
agents-Mortgage brokers and more.